Date: 8/15/26 5:02 pm From: eBird alert via groups.io <alert.ebird...> Subject: [slocobirding] [eBird Alert] San Luis Obispo County Rare Bird Alert
*** Species Summary:
- King Eider (1 report)
- Sora (1 report)
- Semipalmated Sandpiper (5 reports)
- Orange-crowned Warbler (sordida) (3 reports)
---------------------------------------------
Thank you for subscribing to the <daily> San Luis Obispo County Rare Bird Alert. The report below shows observations of rare birds in San Luis Obispo County. View or unsubscribe to this alert at https://ebird.org/alert/summary?sid=SN36231 NOTE: all sightings are UNCONFIRMED unless indicated.
eBird encourages safe, responsible birding. Some reports may be from private property. Respect access restrictions and follow the rules wherever you bird. For more information, visit the eBird and Merlin Community Guidelines: https://ebird.org/community-guidelines. Stay connected to the global birding community with eBird Updates: https://mailchi.mp/cornell/ebird-updates-sign-up-page.
King Eider (Somateria spectabilis) (1) CONFIRMED
- Reported Aug 15, 2026 09:29 by James Rounds
- Morro Bay Estuary (use more specific location(s) when possible), San Luis Obispo, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-120.8501072&<ll...>,-120.8501072 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S383698981 - Comments: "Long continuing lady. Seen while kayaking near the oyster farm. Preened for a bit then started diving. Lumpy, grinning black bill. Otherwise buff colored"
Sora (Porzana carolina) (1) CONFIRMED
- Reported Aug 14, 2026 13:13 by Petra Clayton
- Laguna Lake, San Luis Obispo, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-120.6903817&<ll...>,-120.6903817 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S383468200 - Comments: "Brown upperparts, gray underparts, short cocked tail showing the creamy-white undertail, short yellowish bill. --- Crossed from the reeds on the left over the water and the exposed sandbar past the resting Mallards into the reeds on the right."
Semipalmated Sandpiper (Calidris pusilla) (1) CONFIRMED
- Reported Aug 14, 2026 07:06 by Reef Comer
- Morro Strand State Beach, San Luis Obispo, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-120.8678892&<ll...>,-120.8678892 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S383454158 - Media: 5 Photos
- Comments: "*Rare but regular. While watching the tern flocks we noticed that a small peep flock had flown in to the lagoon edge behind us, and upon checking the flock located this juvenile. This was a medium-sized peep that was slightly smaller than the Westerns it was associating with, exhibiting an entirely dark medium-length bill (on the longer side for a Semi) that was evenly thick and traffic cone shaped, dark lores, a pale split supercillium, dark eye, thin, barely noticeable eyering, and a pale rufous crown and cheek. The scapulars and wing coverts were dark centered without any rufous fringing. The legs and toes were dark. Shortly after the flock flew in it flushed and so did the Semi. It would return by itself two more times but again flushed rather quickly each time and did not allow very close approach. It was silent to the best of our knowledge. As mentioned previously this bird had a rather long bill, which indicates this bird is likely a female. Photos"
Semipalmated Sandpiper (Calidris pusilla) (1) CONFIRMED
- Reported Aug 14, 2026 07:06 by Kilian Hampl
- Morro Strand State Beach, San Luis Obispo, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-120.8678892&<ll...>,-120.8678892 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S383404594 - Media: 5 Photos
- Comments: "*Rare but regular. While watching the tern flocks we noticed that a small peep flock had flown in to the lagoon edge behind us, and upon checking the flock located this juvenile. This was a medium-sized peep that was slightly smaller than the Westerns it was associating with, exhibiting an entirely dark medium-length bill (on the longer side for a Semi) that was evenly thick and traffic cone shaped, dark lores, a pale split supercillium, dark eye, thin, barely noticeable eyering, and a pale rufous crown and cheek. The scapulars and wing coverts were dark centered without any rufous fringing. The legs and toes were dark. Shortly after the flock flew in it flushed and so did the Semi. It would return by itself two more times but again flushed rather quickly each time and did not allow very close approach. It was silent to the best of our knowledge. As mentioned previously this bird had a rather long bill, which indicates this bird is likely a female. Photos"
Semipalmated Sandpiper (Calidris pusilla) (1) CONFIRMED
- Reported Aug 14, 2026 07:06 by Herb Elliott
- Morro Strand State Beach, San Luis Obispo, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-120.8678892&<ll...>,-120.8678892 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S383410758 - Media: 5 Photos
- Comments: "*Rare but regular. While watching the tern flocks we noticed that a small peep flock had flown in to the lagoon edge behind us, and upon checking the flock located this juvenile. This was a medium-sized peep that was slightly smaller than the Westerns it was associating with, exhibiting an entirely dark medium-length bill (on the longer side for a Semi) that was evenly thick and traffic cone shaped, dark lores, a pale split supercillium, dark eye, thin, barely noticeable eyering, and a pale rufous crown and cheek. The scapulars and wing coverts were dark centered without any rufous fringing. The legs and toes were dark. Shortly after the flock flew in it flushed and so did the Semi. It would return by itself two more times but again flushed rather quickly each time and did not allow very close approach. It was silent to the best of our knowledge. As mentioned previously this bird had a rather long bill, which indicates this bird is likely a female. Photos"
Semipalmated Sandpiper (Calidris pusilla) (1) CONFIRMED
- Reported Aug 14, 2026 07:06 by Ann Stockert
- Morro Strand State Beach, San Luis Obispo, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-120.8678892&<ll...>,-120.8678892 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S383421837 - Media: 5 Photos
- Comments: "*Rare but regular. While watching the tern flocks we noticed that a small peep flock had flown in to the lagoon edge behind us, and upon checking the flock located this juvenile. This was a medium-sized peep that was slightly smaller than the Westerns it was associating with, exhibiting an entirely dark medium-length bill (on the longer side for a Semi) that was evenly thick and traffic cone shaped, dark lores, a pale split supercillium, dark eye, thin, barely noticeable eyering, and a pale rufous crown and cheek. The scapulars and wing coverts were dark centered without any rufous fringing. The legs and toes were dark. Shortly after the flock flew in it flushed and so did the Semi. It would return by itself two more times but again flushed rather quickly each time and did not allow very close approach. It was silent to the best of our knowledge. As mentioned previously this bird had a rather long bill, which indicates this bird is likely a female. Photos"
Orange-crowned Warbler (sordida) (Leiothlypis celata sordida) (1) CONFIRMED
- Reported Aug 13, 2026 08:47 by Ann Stockert
- Pismo SB--Oceano Campground, San Luis Obispo, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-120.6265268&<ll...>,-120.6265268 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S383421859 - Comments: "*Expected. One bird was seen briefly but well with a flock in the canopy on the Norswing drive side south of the main entrance. This was a large, very dull Orange-crowned that was overall a dull olive color, with a large thick-based bill, dark eye, greener upper and slightly paler lower eye arcs, a large head with a faint veiled/hooded appearance, a streaked breast almost appearing vested, dull legs and feet, a relatively slim build and medium-length tail, and strongly and extensively streaked undertail coverts. This bird was silent. We were not able to photograph this bird unfortunately."
Orange-crowned Warbler (sordida) (Leiothlypis celata sordida) (1) CONFIRMED
- Reported Aug 13, 2026 08:47 by Jaimie Bruzenak
- Pismo SB--Oceano Campground, San Luis Obispo, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-120.6265268&<ll...>,-120.6265268 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S383391118 - Comments: "*Expected. One bird was seen briefly but well with a flock in the canopy on the Norswing drive side south of the main entrance. This was a large, very dull Orange-crowned that was overall a dull olive color, with a large thick-based bill, dark eye, greener upper and slightly paler lower eye arcs, a large head with a faint veiled/hooded appearance, a streaked breast almost appearing vested, dull legs and feet, a relatively slim build and medium-length tail, and strongly and extensively streaked undertail coverts. This bird was silent. We were not able to photograph this bird unfortunately."
Orange-crowned Warbler (sordida) (Leiothlypis celata sordida) (1) CONFIRMED
- Reported Aug 13, 2026 08:47 by Donna Groman
- Pismo SB--Oceano Campground, San Luis Obispo, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-120.6265268&<ll...>,-120.6265268 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S383378225 - Comments: "*Expected. One bird was seen briefly but well with a flock in the canopy on the Norswing drive side south of the main entrance. This was a large, very dull Orange-crowned that was overall a dull olive color, with a large thick-based bill, dark eye, greener upper and slightly paler lower eye arcs, a large head with a faint veiled/hooded appearance, a streaked breast almost appearing vested, dull legs and feet, a relatively slim build and medium-length tail, and strongly and extensively streaked undertail coverts. This bird was silent. We were not able to photograph this bird unfortunately."
***********
You received this message because you are subscribed to eBird's San Luis Obispo County Rare Bird Alert
eBird Alerts provide recent reports of regionally or seasonally rare species (Rarities Alerts) or species you have not yet observed (Needs Alerts) in your region of interest; both Accepted and Unreviewed observations are included. Some reports may be from private property or inaccessible to the general public. It is the responsibility of every eBirder to be aware of and respectful of access restrictions. For more information, see our Terms of Use: https://www.birds.cornell.edu/home/terms-of-use/
